Time for Bays to seize the moment

Happy Monday! Let’s start the week talking a little about leadership and vision.

I’ve been writing about the One for All sales tax idea for quite some time. We’ve covered the numbers, the possible uses, and the public involvement.

From the start, we suggested that county commissioners stay on the sidelines for the immediate time. They did that, some not happy about it, giving the process time to develop before they jumped in.

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That time has arrived.

County commissioners get their bite at the apple Tuesday in what I’m hoping is a far-reaching and complete conversation that covers all concerns, all issues, all wants and needs about the local-option sales tax and ends with a 5-0 vote to direct the County Attorney to develop ballot language for a November 2026 referendum.

Everything is on the table. Each commissioner says his/her own piece. No one opinion is more important than another’s.

But someone needs to take the reins. That someone is Chair Rebecca Bays.

Vision is missing from this process. I thought about this on Sunday. We’re debating the details, but what’s the vision? Certainly, it’s not as simple as a penny sales tax, which raises X amount of money that we spend on Y. That’s not a vision. That’s a math equation.

Rebecca is the board’s deep thinker. She spends hours dissecting reports, particularly in the areas of transportation and government finances. I consider her an expert in these matters.

More than any other commissioner, Rebecca has sounded the chimes of tax reform. Before the Tallahassee politicians made it popular, Rebecca Bays told her colleagues and constituents that our tax structure is out of whack. She’s been pushing special assessments or taxing districts to take the pressure off the property tax millage.

She’s gotten nowhere with it. Not that there was ever a big push, but there’s simply no appetite for messing with the tax system. So, every year there is another debate about the millage. Tax reform takes a back seat once again.

That isn’t the case now. With Gov. Ron DeSantis touting the end of property taxes on homestead properties, and the Legislature sure to come up with some fashion of that on the 2026 ballot, where does that leave Citrus County?

And that’s the vision I’d like to hear Chair Bays spell out.

Rebecca met me for a Cattle Dog chat Friday morning. I wanted to explain what I planned to write for today and get her take on the whole thing.

One for All would generate about $25 million a year. Some of that (I’m hearing estimates of up to $4 million) is shared with the cities and School Board. So, let’s say it’s $20 million net/year to the county. That’s $200 million available to bond over 10 years, or much higher than that over 20 years.

Here’s how I’d see this playing out Tuesday:

Chair Bays sets the table. She has the gavel. Her colleagues can agree or not with her position, but the Chair starts us off.

And what does she say? I don’t know, but I’m looking for a rallying cry. I’d like to get pumped up. Some excitement for our tomorrows. And a realistic peek at Citrus County’s future with and without the additional sales tax. Specific to the issue. We’re done with theories and what-if scenarios.

Simply, what does Citrus County look like in 10 years? How do we pay for it? If not a sales tax, then what? And even with the sales tax, is that enough?

I’m not looking for a diatribe, or even an outline. It’s not the Chair’s job to direct. But we need an idea of where all this is headed. Cuz if it’s just about paving roads, count me out. I’ll invest if I’m inspired. 

Tuesday is the most important board meeting of Rebecca Bays’ political career. Somehow, she must help bridge the gap that exists between county government and citizens. This us vs. them thing needs to stop, or at least find perspective.

Chair Bays, a target of controversy these last few months, has a chance to redirect that conversation. Political angst aside, citizens truly want all five commissioners to succeed. We succeed when they succeed.

Set the tone, Rebecca. Lay out a vision that is attainable and realistic. Tell us the truth without exaggeration. Mostly, remind us why you're in this position in the first place: Leadership, maturity, and common sense.

We need a vision. And we need it now. 

Have a great Monday, friends.

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